Knee > Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome > Treatments

   Therapeutic Injection (Corticosteroid)

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If physical therapy, rest, icing, and pain relievers do not reduce the symptoms of ITB friction syndrome, your physician may suggest an injection of a cortisone-type medication directly into your knee. This option should be considered if your symptoms persist for more than a week and a half. The injections are normally administered two or three times, at two- to three-week intervals. Your first follow-up visit usually will be within two to four weeks after the final injection. There usually are no side effects such as pain or swelling after receiving an injection of corticosteroid, and you will not need to immobilize your knee. You probably will be able to resume rehab exercises within a few days after the treatment.

You should able to resume physical activity two or three days after a corticosteroid injection for ITB friction syndrome. Physical therapy exercises for ITB friction syndrome include stretching the ITB as well as strengthening exercises for all the muscles around the knee, particularly the quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Heat applied to the affected area of your knee can aid in loosening up the muscles and tendons before you stretch. You will most likely have to modify your exercise routine if you participate in activities that place strain on the ITB, like running or cycling. When you resume, you may want to begin slowly and gradually work up to your normal level. You may be able to exercise with minimal pain, however. Depending on the severity of your pain, you can decrease your training program by about 50 percent. If this does not ease your symptoms, training should be decreased again by 50 percent. You can also reduce the intensity of your workout - for example, riding an exercise bike with less resistance than usual - or eliminating hills from a running workout. During this time, you can maintain conditioning by focusing on upper-body exercises. Other types of activities that will put less stress on your knee include swimming, water running, and rollerblading. Depending on the severity of the irritation, pain from ITB friction syndrome usually subsides over a period of several weeks. If symptoms persist, you should consult your doctor about considering more aggressive measures.

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   ITB stretching exercises

The iliotibial band (ITB) rubs against the outside of the knee as part of the knee's normal motion. The goal is to prevent this motion from causing irritation and pain. Following are some steps you can take to prevent ITB friction syndrome:

   Make sure to stretch and strengthen the muscles around your knees, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles, in addition to the ITB.

   Warm up before you exercise, and stretch after you are done.

   Have your physician check to see if your feet turn inward excessively (over-pronation), and if they do, make sure to wear running shoes with proper support and cushioning.

   If you do a lot of cycling, adjust your seat height so that you are not stretching too far at the bottom of the down stroke.

   If you run frequently at a track, alternate direction (clockwise and counter-clockwise) to avoid excessive ITB strain on your outside leg.

   Do not suddenly increase your training duration or intensity; try to progress in small increments.